With millions of New Zealanders turning to us every day, its our mission to make Aotearoa a better place. Collectively,these alleged offenders are facingjail terms that could run intohundreds of years and some of thecharges they are facing carry lifeimprisonment,' he said. Ayik, subbed one of the world's most prolific drug-smuggling masterminds, was later detained in Cyprus but then escaped and fled to Turkey, where he has created a new life. His Dutch wife,hair transplant business owner Fleur Messelink publicly flaunted the couple's elaborate lifestyle on Instagram until this week. Mark Vick Kitos, 28, of Stirling, was also charged, but did not appear in court and remains in police custody. In total, police seized vehicles worth over $1.2 million. ANoM's website, which was only deleted about 10am on Tuesday, made the technology sound bulletproof. Along with three money laundering charges, the Comancheros president Pasilika Naufahu is charged with conspiring to commit two drug-related offences - one of conspiring to import a class A drug . Members of the Rebels gang have been arrested after police searched 24 properties on Wednesday. We want to reduce the harm these gangs are causing in our communities, he said. Officers search the black sports bag containing nearly $8 million worth of drugs stored in the cargo hold. The 5-year hunt for Comancheros gang boss - NZ Herald Police seized huge cash and drug stashes, and alleged bikies now owe other dangerous crime figures significant amounts of money. He had done the trip a handful of times before. Several of the people arrested are linked to the Comancheros gang. 'There's no doubt going to be some tension within the whole system about who owes what drug debt and so on. Some 21 execution plots were foiled and drug and gun smuggling networks dismantled. Comancheros gang boss Pasilika Naufahu jailed for money laundering, conspiring to supply drugs Updated 19/02/2021 Jamie Ensor Zac Fleming Comancheros boss Pasilika Naufahu has been sentenced. Huge AFP bust sees bikies, criminals and gangsters arrested in You can rely on Stuffs journalists to question the decision-makers, interview experts, and use eyewitness reporting to answer your key questions with facts and context. Now, a man has purchased the same Aztec Piper which brought the drugs to WA.Credit: As Bankstown pilot Jamieson Santos was preparing to land his twin-engined 1970s Piper Aztec at a busy airport on the outskirts of Perth a dozen grim-faced police officers were waiting on the hot tarmac. Nearly 9kg of meth had also been seized at the border during the course of investigations linked to the joint operation. Its bits and bobs are now scattered across his verandah and the tail and fuselage sit in a backyard in Perth's north, a dire reminder of the plane that once sat in the middle of Australia's own war on drugs and that changed law enforcement forever. Coster said Thursdays bust was a significant result by the National Organised Crime Group to combat community hard caused by meth. "We've got the president - there was actually a structure in place - there are a number of other people that we are waiting to see when and if they will be patched, and that was going to happen (this) weekend," WA Serious and Organised Crime Division Superintendent Jim Migro told reporters on Friday. 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros.Police are making good progress dismantling his alleged empire of organised crime. Huge AFP bust has seen 4,000 cops storm Australia's underworld overnight . In October, 20,000 ecstasy pills known as pink Porsche, luxury vehicles, properties and illegal firearms were seized through Operation Cincinnati. Encrypted platforms were designed to prevent law enforcement agencies from monitoring such criminal activities. 'It's just pure revenue, it's a bit like selling Amway for him. But intelligence information gleaned from the police operation revealed the plan to investigators and police swooped. As the Aztec dived towards the runway at Jandakot, 20 kilometres south of Perth, Santos' only passenger tattooed 20-something-year-old Australian-Italian Joseph Micalizzi was finally waking up from his 15-hour drug-fuelled slumber. It was the biggest drug bust in WA history and a day law enforcement officers would remember for years to come. Pictured: items seized by the AFP, More arrests are expected domestically and offshore under a coordinated global response connected to Operation Ironside. Waikato Mongrel Mob's public relations liaison, Lou Hutchinson, took to Twitter to say: "Lol do you seriously believe all the bullsh*t spin about the Waikato Mongrel Mob Kingdom [sic] this is a total smear campaign driven by the NZ Police, politicians and mainstream media! The gang members are alleged to have worked with offshore criminal entities to import large quantities of methamphetamine and MDMA which was distributed across New Zealand. New Zealand authorities have also arrested 35 people for alleged drug dealing and money laundering, seizing some $NZ3.7 million ($A3.4 million) in assets. Micalizzi, who sat down at the back of the six seater, slept most of the time, Santos says, and spoke to him only to ask when they would arrive. Australia's world-first Assistance and Access Act passed in 2018 allows intelligence agencies to require tech companies to hand over encrypted messages. 'We allege they've beentrafficking illicit drugs intoAustralia at an industrial scale. Australia's biggest ever police bust used encrypted app to intercept messages Alleged bikies and associates make up a third of 303 Operation Ironside arrests Hardest hit gang were the Comancheros . Five unexpected signs in your 20s and 30s you're at risk of developing heart disease later in life. 'He's (Ayik) essentially leveraged his position of trust in the underworld to push this platform and that's what generated its success. Now who the 16 people identified are, what they're charged with, and where they live can be revealed. Police also seized a number of assets and eight luxury vehicles, including a 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista worth more than $630,000, and a 2020 Porsche 911 Coupe, worth more than $230,000. Another nine were allegedly linked to the Rebels, eight to the Lone Wolf gang, and a handful linked to the Mongols, Finks, and Bandidos, News Corp reported. Drug kingpin and Comancheros bikie associate Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade on the run from Australian . Mildura Comancheros boss Joshua Faulkhead used 'fear, violence The app was accessed by entering a PIN number into the phone's calculator, the stuff of spy dramas. He is Australia's most wanted man after fleeing Sydney for Turkey more than a decade ago when he was linked to a $230 million heroin importation syndicate. Mr Kershaw said detectives witnessed associates 'turning on each other' and doing business behind each other's backs. CULVER CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities made one of the largest drug busts in Los Angeles County history recently, seizing meth and cocaine with a street value of nearly $60 million, officials say. He was denied bail and will reappear in court next week. Now living in Turkey, he was tricked into distributing messages to his criminal associates around the world via encrypted communications app AN0M, unaware it was being run by FBI special agents. More than $60M in meth, cocaine seized in one of LA County's biggest The arrests include three sergeants-at-arms, a club president, and other office bearers. However, it seems few alleged criminals in the sights of law enforcement did a cursory Google search into the 'encrypted' phone and app platform. They had taken 15 vacuum-sealed bags filled with 30,000 MDMA tablets and more than 20 plastic bags containing almost 22 kilograms of methylamphetamine off the streets and, although they did not know it at the time, they had kick-started one of the largest law enforcement operations in Australian history. As officers searched the black sports bag, they uncovered nearly $8 million worth of drugs. Operation Tango Citron uncovered a major drug network operating across the citys bayside region distributing cocaine, methamphetamines, MDMA and cannabis, according to Queensland Police Service. It wasnt an unusual occurrence. The Cannon Hill man was charged with six offences including two counts of trafficking, one count of carrying a weapon in public and one count of supplying drugs. At the time, police seized 3kg of MDMA powder, 3kg of ephedrine, quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs. Comancheros President Pasilika Naufahu admits some charges - Stuff The app was invitation-only as of Tuesday morning - before the page was sensationally taken down and replaced with a warning by the FBI, Anom's Twitter account claimed the company was based in the famously neutral nation of Switzerland. Drug bust at Ourimbah and Kulnura linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle "We have got a lot of people with large sums of money, very disposable income - great targets for organised crime - and that's why organised crime from all groups are starting to look at and concentrate on WA. At least 35 people were arrested who appeared yesterday in Auckland and Hamilton district courts facing nearly 1000 separate drug dealing and money laundering charges. 'Sadly, criminal gangs are targetingAustralia because it is one of themost profitable countries in theworld to sell drugs, and for threeyears, this operation has been overt.'. A 46-year-old Mango Hill man charged with nine offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, two counts of supplying dangerous drugs and weapon offences. According to Santos, he was preparing his plane for take-off at Bankstown Airport in the early hours of March 4, 2008, when a car pulled up outside the airfield and a young man dressed in a white shirt and black pants, walked up to shake his hand. It is estimated the meth could have caused more than $500 million worth of social harm if sold into the community. "The users believed their Anom devices were protected from law enforcement by the shield of impenetrable encryption.". Full list of outlaw bikies busted by Operation Ironside using AN0M app The app AN0M was installed on mobile phones that were stripped of other capability. Santos is eight years into a 15-year sentence and will tell anyone who listens he is innocent. Had this shipment been distributed across New Zealand it would have caused immense harm to the vulnerable communities these criminal groups were preying upon.. Operation Ironside, started in 2018 with a fake encrypted communication app developed in partnership with the FBI. Take care of your gut and it will take care of you: Could these 'friendly' bacteria transform your gut Netflix subscribers can access hidden upgrade to their favourite shows - here's how to check if you are www.dhttps://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/how-australian-drug-kingpin-hakan-ayik-gave-an0m-to-the-criminal-world-and-took-down-his-pals/news-story/cc7999b22dfdc6f16bfd620720d81e33ailytelegra Do not sell or share my personal information. Phil Hickey The West Australian. www.heraldsun.cohttps://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/how-operation-ironsides-an0m-sting-put-a-hole-in-bikie-gangs/news-story/02b33f401ffff4ec7c87546646fcc5c9. Police have arrested 12 people, including senior members of the Comancheros and Rebels gangs, as part of an operation targeting the drug trade. Credit:Nine News. If you value facts and being well-informed, please consider supporting Stuff. Throughout the covert operation, detectives allegedly uncovered murder plots, gun distribution, and mass drug trafficking, with mafia bosses, bikies, and reality TV stars arrested and charged. 'Andthese figures are likely to increaseover the coming days. Get the news you want delivered to your inbox. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. But the Daily Mail can reveal the entire elaborate sting was placed in jeopardy in late March, when an anonymous blogger sounded the alarm, labelling the platform a 'scam' which rerouted peoples' data through to the United States. Kiwi police working closely alongside international law enforcement agencies and spy networks revealed yesterday they have been secretly intercepting criminals' private communications on an encrypted digital platform built by the FBI. As officers searched the black sports bag, they uncovered nearly $8 million worth of drugs. Then known as Joseph Hakan Ayik, the Sydney bikie associate and gym junkie fled Australia in 2010 to avoid arrest over a $230 million heroin importation. A lawyer for the man charged with the murder of Toyah Cordingley has spoken to media following his clients appearance before a Queensland court four years after her body was found. By It's GRAYGATE! More than a decade later after the sting, drugs continue to slip across Australia's borders from overseas, as the nation's drug users consume more than four tonnes of cocaine every year. Through the covert operation, detectives allegedly uncovered 21 murder plots, gun distribution and mass drug trafficking, withmafia bosses,bikies, and reality TV stars arrested and charged. 'These criminal influencers put the AFP in the back pocket of hundreds of alleged offenders,' Mr Kershaw said. 'There will be people out there who think they're okay, because they weren't on the AN0M platform. A 46-year-old Bracken Ridge man charged with 12 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of possessing property used in the commission of a crime, and once count of possessing property obtained from trafficking. A 24-year-old Mount Gravatt East man charged with 17 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, six counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying. Police have charged 224 alleged offenders with 525 charges, shut down six clandestine laboratories and acted on 21 threats to kill, including saving a family of five. China increases military spending in face of 'escalating' threats, Treaty ahoy! Watch and listen to a variety of WA true crime series, video channels and podcasts with commentary on news, politics and current affairs. Globally, the operation involved at least 300 criminal networks, more than 45 languages, and at least 27 million encrypted messages. 'The cash that we've seized, which they now owe debts on, the drugs that have been seized which they now owe debts on,' Superintendent McArthur said. Operation Ironside is justthe beginning and the AFP is livingup to our maximum of keepingAustralians safe.'. Had we not made this seizure, those communities would have continued to suffer, and the individuals involved in this offending would continue to profit from the destruction with no regard for those they have affected. The Australian Federal Police on Tuesday revealed a breathtaking three-year tech ploy which led to 4,000 police executing 525 search warrants. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday. "I saw this aeroplane come up and I just bought it out of curiosity," Nevan Pavlinovic said. Comanchero Motorcycle Club - Wikipedia "Joseph Micalizzi," he said, a large sports bag hanging from his shoulder. The country's Federal Police released pictures of the wealth, firepower and even taste in gangster movies of those arrested during sweeping raids across the country, the U.S., Britain andwider Europe after the alleged criminals were covertly monitored for three years using an encrypted communication app called 'AN0M'. Todays arrests include a leader of the Comancheros gang, who allegedly formed a partnership with a senior member of the Rebels gang in Christchurch, with both allegedly running drug distribution networks in their areas, police said in a statement. Only five per cent of encrypted messages sent by criminals in Australia use the Anom platform - but Mr Morrison said suspects will now be living in fear ahead of further sting operations. New details about a massive WA drug bust which snared former Comanchero bikie Mohammed Oueida can be revealed for the first time, including how one of the three alleged drug smugglers fainted when first arrested by police. Never seen anything like it': Medics and care workers hits back at Matt Hancock by revealing Rishi Sunak told Matt Hancock that Dominic Cummings' time in Downing Street was 'a nightmare', new WhatsApp Madonna's Skid Row brother: For years the superstar, 64, was accused of shunning him. We appreciate the assistance provided by Customs in this operation, particularly with the exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries which end up resulting in these large interceptions. Pictured: one of hundreds of arrests, 'Wewill outsmart you. Senior investigators describe Ayik as the 'principal distributor of the AN0M handset.' MAPPED: Suburbs where $2m drug bust targets lived A joint investigation led to the largest ever interception of methamphetamine at the border. 'And it isour intention that they are lookingover their shoulder, because our law enforcement agencies and thepartnerships we have around theworld are bearing down upon them,' he said. 'Essentially, they have handcuffed each other by endorsing and trusting AN0M and openly communicating on it not knowing we were watching the entire time.'. A police investigation would later reveal Micalizzi was a drug runner for the Comancheros, a middleman in an international drug syndicate led by Turkish-Australian gym junkie Hakan Ayik. Ninja Warrior 2017 contestant Sopiea Kong was among those arrested. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA. Police have charged 224 alleged offenders with 525 charges, shut down six clandestine laboratories and acted on 21 threats to kill, Pictured: one man accused of participating in the syndicate sits on his bed after being raided by AFP officers, A luxury Audi sedan seized by the AFP as part of their joint investigation with the U.S. FBI, The bust exposed new details about how one of Australia's most wanted fugitives gave police extensive access to the world's criminal underworld. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said federal agents had been in the 'back pockets' of criminals through the encryption app. Drug kingpin and Comancheros bikie associate Hakan Ayik has spent the last decade on the run from Australian authorities after fleeing the country in 2010. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the AFP operation, known as Operation Ironside, had struck a 'heavy blow' against organised crime. About five kilograms of the drug was found hidden in a car being transported to Perth from Sydney, while a search of 13 premises in Perth overnight turned up a further 210g. 'It's like having The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) sponsoring your gym. Subscribe to 7NEWS Australia for the latest news video https://7news.link/YTSubscribeConnect with Seven News onlineVisit https://7news.com.au7NEWS Podcast http://smarturl.it/7NewsDailyFacebook https://www.facebook.com/7NewsAustraliaTwitter https://twitter.com/7NewsAustraliaInstagram https://www.instagram.com/7newsaustralia/ 7NEWS combines the trusted and powerful news brands including Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Latest, and 7NEWS.com.au, delivering unique, engaging and continuous coverage on the issues that matter most to Australians. The uniformed police found the drugs hidden under a pillowcase in the black sports bag Micalizzi had brought with him. For more than 18 months, Anom's criminal users unknowingly communicated on the system operated by FBI agents. Comancheros in WA: New details emerge about drug bust which led to arrest of former member Mohammed Oueida. 'We're bearing down upon them. Acting Detective Inspector John Brunton outlines a major police operation targeting MDMA distribution (Video first published on October 29, 2020). A bankrupt and former nightclub bouncer from Bankstown well into his 30s, Santos had spent a few months before the bust flying passengers across the country in his Aztec in a bid to meet the minimum flying hours required to obtain a commercial pilot's licence. The company was apparently based in famously neutral Switzerland and boasted of 'military grade encrypt and sanitise'. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized approximately one million pills laced with fentanyl allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in what authorities say is the biggest bust for . Supt Migro told reporters there was "a clear link between this drug shipment and the Comancheros", adding it was part of an organised crime trend that had been attracted to WA by its booming economy. But thanks to a major international police operation targeting global organised crime, the maritime drug runs never eventuated and the alleged masterminds are now before the courts. Pasilika Naufahu and Connor . Police said the group had links to the Comancheros bikie gang. But you know, this isn't over. Personal trainer, 22, describes what working in the fitness industry is like when you're curvy - and why Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane - UFC 285 LIVE: Follow all the action from main card ahead of HUGE heavyweight PETER HITCHENS: Now we know for sure that our leaders lost their heads over Covid. More than 800 suspected criminals have been arrested worldwide after being tricked into using an FBI-run encrypted messaging app, officials say. 7NEWS can reveal the bust is linked to exiled bikie Mark Buddle of the Comancheros. 'Illicit drug use ruins lives and fuels organised crime.'. A 37-year-old Capalaba man charged with 158 offences including two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs - serious organised crime, one count of trafficking dangerous drugs, one count of producing dangerous drug, 130 counts of supplying dangerous drugs and weapon offences. It was March 5, 2008. If Stuff is a regular part of your day, please consider becoming a supporter. But youknow, this isn't over. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the alleged syndicate included 'someof the most dangerous criminals toAustralia'. "There will be a lot of organised criminals looking at how they're communicating over devices and wondering if they're next.". Toxic trauma expert Gabor Mate diagnoses Prince Harry with attention deficit disorder but tells him it CAN 'I felt different to the rest of my family - and my mum felt the same': Prince Harry opens up on his 'broken 'He's completely beige drained of all his feisty ginger life-blood': JULIE BURCHILL'S verdict on Prince 'I was a bit of a mess': Amanda Abbington reveals she considered suicide after split from ex Martin Freeman DR ELLIE CANNON: My breast has not got lumps but it's itchy, should I be concerned about cancer at age 72? , started in 2018 with a fake encrypted communication app developed in partnership with the FBI. 'The FBI had the lead on this. 'Enforce your right to privacy': This is how the ANoM website advertised its product - with users not realising that law enforcement officials could read each and every message. Details of the failed drug trafficking plan emerged following the termination of Operation Trojan Shield - described as the "sting of the century" and a huge blow to New Zealand's criminal fraternity. It comes as there have been tonnes of drugs and hundreds of arrests overseas. "It's a great day for New Zealand," Williams told the Herald. READ MORE: * 20,000 ecstasy pills and Ferrari seized in major police bust in Auckland. Credit:Nine News. Organised crime evolving 'rapidly' in NZ as borders become 'porous' to illicit trade - NZ Heral Gangs and guns: Police unveil operation targeting firearms and organised crime - NZ Herald. Twelve people, aged between 20 and 42, will appear in the Auckland District Court in the coming days on various drug related charges. Hayden Burber, 33,alleged treasurer of the South Australian Comanchero, Christian Taumoefolau, 31, allegedSergeant-at-Arms of the Victorian Comanchero, Eren Kaya, 28, alleged Sergeant-at-Arms from Victoria, Muhammed Topal,25, Victorian-based brother of high-ranking Comanchero figure Hasan Topal, Emmanuel Vamvoukais, 40, alleged sergeant-at-arms of the NSW South Coast, Elias Elchaar, 49, alleged national sergeant-at-arms of the Lone Wolf gang, The comments below have not been moderated, By "They are establishing themselves here in WA.". Coster thanked Customs for its exceptional profiling of shipments from high-risk countries. Comancheros: Qld bikie bust nets 42 arrests, $2m in drugs and property Former ADF sniper turned bikie boss jailed for drug trafficking Alleged crooks even paid six-monthly subscription fees to the police - the money only further reinforcing law enforcement methods. NZ's biggest drug bust: Alleged drug traffickers plead not guilty over New Zealand Customs staff, Armed Offenders Squad members, Asset Recovery Unit and Police Dog Section staff assisted police with the searches. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on January 20. Watch 7NEWS nightly at 6pm and weekdays at 11:30am and 4pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.#MarkBuddle #Ourimbah #Kulnura #7NEWS Comanchero president in drug bust - news The arrests and seizures were part of Operation Baystone, which began after 2.7kg of methamphetamine was found in the Perth suburb of Stirling in December last year. Supt Migro said the investigation was ongoing. We are still coming.'. A further 10 gang members and their associates have also been arrested in relation to their alleged roles in the network, which saw drugs and cash transported between the two cities, police said in a statement. It comes as there have been tonnes of drugs and hundreds of arrests overseas. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Wednesdays search warrants marked the second termination phase of Operation Cincinnati, which saw 26 people arrested and kilos of drugs, multiple firearms and more than $10 million in assets seized in October. A man shot dead during the horrific Wieambilla terror attack has been posthumously bestowed the highest honour. 'THEY ARE COMPROMISED, LIARS AND YOUR DATA IS RUNNING VIA USA'. (Supplied) A further 10 gang members and their associates have also been arrested in relation to their alleged roles in the network, which saw drugs and cash transported between the two cities, police said. Police said they had seized drugs some of which had been packaged ready for sale along with more than $200,000 in cash and a shotgun. Operation Ironside: Australian police and FBI smash global crime ring